Clarke has been subject to advances from Upton Park since Gianfranco Zola was installed as manager last week. It is believed that Clarke is eager to join up with his former playing colleague at the helm of West Ham.
The Scot, who spent 11 years as a player with the club, tendered his resignation last week with the Chelsea hierarchy, but the club refused to accept it.
It is thought that the Stamford Bridge outfit are seeking around £4.5million in compensation from the Hammers to release the services of Clarke.
However, with limited funds in the West Ham coffers, a situation exacerbated by the collapse of the club's shirt sponsor XL, only £500,000 is available to the east London side to secure his release.
Now, a senior Chelsea squad member has spoken out on the scenario, and Frank Lampard is siding against his club.
Lampard, who played with West Ham before joining the Blues, believes that Clarke has been a tremendous servant to Chelsea and deserves to choose his own future.
He revealed that he knows Clarke wants to leave the Premier League runners-up, even though he has two years remaining on his current deal.
The 45-year-old remains on 'gardening leave' from the Stamford Bridge, but will be forced to see out his contract if West Ham cannout stump up the compensation fee
Lampard told the Daily Mail: "If he goes to West Ham it will be a loss, but I don't think you can ever take away a man's right to do what he wants to do.
"I think Clarkey has been an unbelievable servant for Chelsea for many years as a player and as a coach.
"He has been an important member of the back-room staff for what we've done over the last few years. But if he feels he wants to go and do something different - I know he has intentions to be a manager in his own right - you can only wish him all the best."
source: Peter Staunton
The Scot, who spent 11 years as a player with the club, tendered his resignation last week with the Chelsea hierarchy, but the club refused to accept it.
It is thought that the Stamford Bridge outfit are seeking around £4.5million in compensation from the Hammers to release the services of Clarke.
However, with limited funds in the West Ham coffers, a situation exacerbated by the collapse of the club's shirt sponsor XL, only £500,000 is available to the east London side to secure his release.
Now, a senior Chelsea squad member has spoken out on the scenario, and Frank Lampard is siding against his club.
Lampard, who played with West Ham before joining the Blues, believes that Clarke has been a tremendous servant to Chelsea and deserves to choose his own future.
He revealed that he knows Clarke wants to leave the Premier League runners-up, even though he has two years remaining on his current deal.
The 45-year-old remains on 'gardening leave' from the Stamford Bridge, but will be forced to see out his contract if West Ham cannout stump up the compensation fee
Lampard told the Daily Mail: "If he goes to West Ham it will be a loss, but I don't think you can ever take away a man's right to do what he wants to do.
"I think Clarkey has been an unbelievable servant for Chelsea for many years as a player and as a coach.
"He has been an important member of the back-room staff for what we've done over the last few years. But if he feels he wants to go and do something different - I know he has intentions to be a manager in his own right - you can only wish him all the best."
source: Peter Staunton
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